RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 22, 2009 In recognition of 25 years of excellence by student-athletes, the Colonial Athletic Association has released its Silver Anniversary Teams for women’s and men’s swimming, including 27 former CAA Swimmers of the Year and five CAA Divers of the Year.
As part of its 25th Anniversary celebration in 2009-10, the CAA is recognizing Silver Anniversary teams in 21 championship sports. The teams are selected by a panel of current and former head coaches in the conference.
Former JMU student-athletes on the women’s squad include Erin McDonnell (1991-94), Lottie Swanson (1989-92), and Cindy Walker (1991-93). Selections on the men’s squad include Ryan Frost (1993-97), Mark Gabriele (1991-95), Randy Parker (1985-88), and David Tyler (1990-92).
As a team, JMU has performed well at the conference level in both the women’s and men’s competitions, leading the league in titles in both sports. Beginning in 1986, the women have captured six CAA titles with eight runner-up finishes. Through its final season in 2006-07, the JMU men’s team captured nine league titles and placed second five times.
Women’s swimming and diving has been part of the CAA since the league began in 1985-86 and the conference has featured athletes who have performed well on a national and international level. James Madison has won a league-high six CAA championships (1986, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2001), while East Carolina (1995, 1996, 1997, 2000) and George Mason (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) have captured four conference titles. Navy (1988, 1989, 1990) and UNC Wilmington (1998, 1999, 2006) own three CAA crowns. Towson (2008, 2009) and American (1991, 1992) claimed back-to-back league championships, while William & Mary won its only CAA crown in 2007.
Men’s swimming and diving has also been part of the CAA since its inception in 1985-86 and the conference has produced athletes who have competed well on all stages. JMU owns a league-high nine CAA titles, including six straight from 1992-97 and three in a row from 1999-2001. UNC Wilmington has dominated the conference in recent years, capturing eight consecutive championships since 2002. American (1989, 1990), East Carolina (1986, 1989) and Navy (1987, 1988) also won a pair of CAA championships.
McDonnell captured 14 CAA championships in her JMU swimming career and at one point held school records in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 1,000 free, 1,650 free, 400 free relay, and 800 free relay. The 400 free relay in 1992 set a CAA record of 3:30.01 that stood until 1998, a mark that also stood as the JMU record until 2008. McDonnell’s CAA titles include the 200 free (1992, 93, 94), 500 free (1992, 94), 200 free relay (1992, 94), 400 free relay (1992, 92, 93, 94), 800 free relay (1993, 94), and 400 medley relay (1994). She still owns top five times in JMU history in the 200, 500, 1,000, and 1,650 freestyles as well as top 10 marks in the 200, 400, and 800 freestyle relay races.
Swanson claimed nine CAA titles in her career and set a pair of long-standing records. Her mark of 2:05.43 in the individual medley won the 1992 CAA championship and stood as the JMU record until 2008. Along with McDonnell, her 400 free relay mark in 1992 stood as the CAA record until 1998 and the JMU standard until 2008. Swanson excelled in the butterfly with CAA titles in the 100 in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and a title in the 200 fly in 1991. She also claimed first in the 200 individual medley in 1992, the 200 free relay in 1991 and 1992, and the 200 medley relay in 1991. Swanson still holds the second-best 100 fly time in program history, the fourth-best 200 fly mark, and the third spot in the 200 IM. She also appears in the top 10 in three different relay races.
Walker ranks among the best performers in JMU swimming and diving history with 16 CAA titles to her name while also being named CAA Outstanding Meet Performer in 1992 and 1993 and CAA Swimmer of the Year in 1993. Her mark of 56.82 seconds in the 100 butterfly still stands as the JMU record today, the only current standard set prior to 2000. Walker’s CAA titles include the 50 free (1991, 92, 93), 100 free (1992, 93), 100 fly (1993), 200 free relay (1991, 92, 93), 400 free relay (1991, 92, 93, 94), 200 medley relay (1991, 93), and 400 medley relay (1993). In addition to the 100 fly, she held JMU records in the 200 fly, 50 free, 100 free, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay. Walker also at one point held CAA records in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 fly, 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay. Including her 100 fly mark, she holds top four times in four events in JMU history and appears in the top 10 eight times among the five major relay races.
On the men’s side, Frost earned 18 CAA titles, including six individual championships in breaststroke races. He was named CAA Outstanding Meet Performer and Swimmer of the Year for the 1996-97 season. His individual titles include all four years in the 100 breaststroke, twice in the 200 breast (1995, 97), and the 500 free in 1995. He also claimed relay titles in the 200 free (1997), 400 free (1994, 95, 97), 800 free (1995, 97), 200 medley (1994, 95), and 400 medley (1994, 95, 97). Frost established JMU records in the 100 breast (55.29), 200 breast (1:59.87), and 400 medley relay (3:20.73).
Gabriele captured 22 CAA titles, the most among all Silver Anniversary members, from 1992 through 1995, including eight individual event titles. He was named the 1995 CAA Outstanding Meet Performer and CAA Swimmer of the Year after championships in the 100 free, 100 fly, 200 IM, 400 free relay, 800 free relay, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay. His 22 CAA titles include finishing first all four years of his career in the 100 fly, 400 free relay, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay. He set JMU records in the 100 fly, 200 fly, 200 IM, and 400 medley relay and a JMU pool record in the 100 fly. His record of 48.44 seconds in the 100 fly stood as the CAA record from 1995 until 2009.
Randy Parker excelled in the early days of the CAA and is one of only two men’s swimmers in league history to earn three Swimmer or Athlete of the Year awards (1986, 87, 88). He earned 11 CAA championships as a sprint freestyler, including individual titles in the 50 free in 1986 and 1988 and three straight first-place finishes in the 100 free from 1986 through 1988. His time of 44.63 seconds in the 100 free in 1988 established a long-standing JMU school record. Parker also won CAA relay titles in each the 400 free and 400 medley three straight years from 1986 to 1988.
David Tyler was named CAA Co-Swimmer of the Year for the 1991-92 season. He captured nine CAA championships in seven different events. Individually, he touched first in the 200 free in 1991 and 1992, the 500 free in 1992, and the 1,650 free in 1991. He also helped the Dukes to relay wins in the 200 free (1991, 92), 400 free relay (1992), 200 medley relay (1992), and 400 medley relay (1992). He set the JMU school record in the 200 free in 1992 with a time of 1:39.34.
Women’s Swimming & Diving 25th Anniversary Team:
Mary Kay Bolduc - ODU - 1996-99
Meredith Bridgers - ECU - 1988-1991
Meredith Budner - Towson - 2007-present
Mary Campioli George Mason - 2001-05
Gabriella Csepe - American - 1992-95
Jamie D’Agostino - ODU - 2000-02
Jane DePalo - ODU - 1996-98
Kara Fichtorn - ODU - 1999-2001
Amy Hendrick East Carolina - 1999-2000
Kate Hynes - Drexel - 2005-09
Jennifer Irby - Towson - 2002-05
Stacia Johnson - Navy - 1989 - 1992
Liz Lebherz - Towson - 2004-07
Louise Middlemore George Mason 2000-02
Ruth Anne Miller - W&M - 1999-2003
Kate Milling - UNCW - 1998-2000
Erin McDonnell - JMU - 1991-94
Katie Radloff - W&M - 2006-present
Lauren Stinnett George Mason - 1998-2002
Jamye Stickney - ODU - 1996-97
Adrienne Sutton - UNCW - 1996-99
Lottie Swanson - JMU - 1989-1992
Cindy Walker - JMU- 1991-93
Sue Wager - Richmond - 1986-87
Debbie Williams - Navy - 1986-1990
Men’s Swimming & Diving 25th Anniversary Team:
Patrik Balint - ODU - 2004-08
Dean Berman - UNCW - 2004-05
Adam Brenneman - UNCW - 2003-06
Frank Byskov - American - 1998-2001
Cameron Charlton George Mason 2000-03
Matt Craven - ODU - 1995-98
George Edelman Richmond 1987-89
Burak Erdem UNCW 1992-95
Roger Font - American - 1994-97
Ryan Frost - JMU - 1993-97
Mark Gabriele - JMU - 1991-95
Dan Gallagher - UNCW - 2000-02
Chris Hauth - American - 1990-93
Don Hosier UNCW 1985-87
Frederick Hviid - American - 1992-95
Glen Kaplan - ODU - 1994-98
Tom Koucheravy George Mason - 2003-07
Aaron Krause - Towson - 2000-04
Sergio Lopez - American - 1990-91
Shawn McLane - W&M - 1984-86
Tim Norton George Mason 2002-06
Randy Parker - JMU - 1985-88
Anthony Perry - Drexel - 2000-04
David Tyler - JMU - 1990-92
Jon Wenham ODU 1994-98
Courtesy: JMUSports.com
